Japanese Snowbell
Styrax japonicus · Deciduous Broadleaf
Plant Family
Styracaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental / Flowering Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (possibly 'Emerald Pagoda' or 'Snow Cone' based on habit)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 5-8; adaptable to temperate climates but prefers protection from harsh winds.
About This Tree
A graceful, small to medium-sized tree with a horizontal branching habit. It produces an abundance of pendulous, bell-shaped white flowers that hang below the foliage, followed by ovoid, greenish-brown drupes.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, ovate to elliptic; 1-3 inches long; glossy medium-to-dark green in summer; turning yellow to reddish in autumn; margins are slightly serrated.
Bark Characteristics
Grayish-brown; smooth when young, developing orange-brown fissures and an attractive interlacing texture with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
East Asia (Japan, China, Korea)
Growing Season
Leafs out in spring; flowers in late spring to early summer (May-June); fruits in autumn; dormant in winter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil; needs regular watering during dry spells; moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Height: 20-30 feet; Spread: 20-30 feet; Growth rate: Slow to moderate; Lifespan: 40-60 years.
Special Characteristics
Stunning fragrant white flowers; clean foliage with few pest problems; attractive horizontal branching structure; ideal for planting near paths where the hanging flowers can be viewed from below.
Wildlife & Ecology
Flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators; provides nesting sites for small birds; the hard seeds are occasionally used as a food source by squirrels.